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Monasterio de San Martín Pinario

5 Praza da Inmaculada, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

Description

The monastery of San Martiño Pinario was founded in the 10th century in Santiago de Compostela and extensively rebuilt in the 16th century, making it the second largest in Spain after San Lorenzo de El Escorial; today it operates as a seminary. The architectural highlights include the Baroque façade with four Doric columns, the church façade, and the Cloister of Processions. Inside the chapel, the exceptional double-faced altarpiece, the wood and gilded choir stalls and the ceiling directly above them cannot fail to draw the eye of visitors. There is also a museum of religious arts within the complex.

Access & Transport

The monastery is next to the Cathedral, 1.2km north of the train station. It is 70km to A Coruña on the AP-9 or 30mins by train. Porto is 230km away, across the Portuguese border.

Instructions & Recommendations

There are guided tours in Spanish scheduled at 11h00, 12h30, 16h00 and 17h00. We suggest not visiting the cathedral and monastery back-to-back. Instead, you could take a walk in the Alameda Pak or go to the Museum of the Galician People and then come back later.

Meta review

Often eclipsed by its famous neighbour, the monastery does get a lot of excellent online reviews even though it is the church, rather than the monastery building itself, that shines with its original and over-the-top altarpiece and the choir stalls at the back. Some recurring positive comments about the guided visits (in Spanish only) but the museum lacks any type of modern curation.

Environmental & Social

Environmentally neutral. Preserves this historic building, part of the city's artistic and architectural heritages

Conclusion

One of Galicia's most impressive monuments, it clearly deserve a visit not just because it is so large (many areas are not open to the public) but on the basis of its impressive façade and spectacular artwork, namely the choir stalls, the ceiling, and the altarpiece. Try to get the guided tour if you understand Spanish well enough

Key positive

Some striking decorative elements

Centrally located and reasonable admission fee

Key negative

Should upgrade curation style and have a more comprehensive website

Suitability

We could not find proper info on accessibility so best to contact management. We think the complex is partially accessible for wheelchair users

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

August 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Uncertain opening times as there was a temporary exhibition at the time of this update

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:1h

Regulated hours
Period 1

MONDAY11:00 - 19:00

TUESDAY11:00 - 19:00

WEDNESDAY -

THURSDAY11:00 - 19:00

FRIDAY11:00 - 19:00

SATURDAY11:00 - 19:00

SUNDAY11:00 - 19:00

Period 2

MONDAY15:30 - 19:30

TUESDAY -

WEDNESDAY -

THURSDAY15:30 - 19:30

FRIDAY15:30 - 19:30

SATURDAY15:30 - 19:30

SUNDAY15:30 - 19:30

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€5
Adult
18 - 64
€7
Teen & Young
13 - 17
€5
Child
3 - 12
€0
Infant
0 - 2
€0
Price and age threshold for children is not certain

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